Bryant outclassed the rest of the NL competition regardless of the Cubs posting the best record in baseball. The 24-year-old will become the second straight Las Vegas native to place his MVP hardware on the mantle next to his Rookie of the Year award.

Forget the 20 win-season, Scherzer earned this award with the lowest WHIP and most strikeouts among starters across the Major Leagues. The right-hander also finished in the top five in FIP, RE24, and WPA as the anchor in the Nationals’ rotation.

This selection is the “lock” of the awards season. As great as Turner was in his 73 games with the Nationals, Seager was a stud for the Dodgers all season. His 6.1 offensive WAR was second to only Bryant in the National League.

2. Trea Turner (WAS)
3. Kenta Maeda (LAD)

Manager of the Year

1. Joe Maddon (CHC)

Usually this award goes to the manager of the team who outperformed their expectations. I hate that. I’m not saying it doesn’t have a place in the consideration, just that it is one factor in many that should. The Cubs are a young team with high hopes and a lot could have gone wrong. It didn’t. Maddon deserves credit for guiding the best team in baseball.

2. Dave Roberts (LAD)
3. Dusty Baker (WAS)

Reliever of the Year

1. Mark Melancon (PIT/WAS)

Melancon led all NL relievers with a 3.4 win probability on his way to 47 saves between the Pirates and Nationals. Without a truly dominant season by any National League reliever, Melancon rose to the top of the heap for me.

2. Tyler Thornburg (MIL)
3. Kenley Jansen (LAD)

American League

Most Valuable Player

1. Mike Trout (ANA)

Congratulation to Trout for his fifth straight MVP Award! Hold on…someone is handing me something…he’s only won once and is doubtful again this year because the Angels stink. His team is terrible. So what? Did he have the best season among all American League players? Yep. Then he’s the MVP…hands down.

Kluber appears to be poised to nab his second Cy Young Award in the last three years with yet another outstanding season. Kluber led the league in ERA+ and FIP justifying his selection as the top hurler taking into account the ballpark effects and without the defense behind him.

Sanchez made this race much closer than it should be for a guy who played only 53 games this season but I still gave the nod to Fulmer. Detroit gave the right-hander a ton of run support (5.37 per game), but Fulmer didn’t succeed because of that as his 3.06 ERA and .231 OBA show.

2. Gary Sanchez (NYY)
3. Tyler Naquin (CLE)

Manager of the Year

1. Jeff Banister (TEX)

Despite winning the AL West last season, few pundits selected the Rangers to repeat, let alone qualify for the postseason. Banister is the steady hand at the helm who deserves to take home his second straight award.

2. Terry Francona (CLE)
3. Buck Showalter (BAL)

Reliever of the Year

1. Zach Britton (BAL)

Yes, the closer role is overrated. But Britton still posted one of the best seasons by a reliever. Britton gave up only four earned runs all season and his 0.54 ERA is the best ever among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.